by Danni Roan
Carl kissed her gently, then pushed her away. “You’d better go.” He said, his voice full of laughter, “The room’s starting to spin again.”
That evening Carl was able to join the family for dinner. He was nervous and edgy as he turned to Mel’s father. It was only right he ask for the girl’s hand.
“Mr. Middleton,” he began as coffee was served. “I…” he hesitated, unsure.
“I take it you’ve finally gotten around to figuring out you’re in love with my daughter and you’d like to marry her.” Mr. Middleton’s voice was gruff.
Carl looked at Mel, her eyes bright and encouraging.
“Yes, sir,” Carl answered.
“It’s about blessed time,” the older man huffed. “I thought you would never get around to it.” He reached his hand across the table, taking Carl’s in his. “Welcome to the family, son.”
Niamh jumped from her seat and raced to Mel. “We’ll truly be sisters now,” she said, her voice full of love.
Mel squeezed her tight. “You’ve been a sister in my heart for a long time now, ever since your stubborn brother agreed to move into the cottage.”
Niamh hugged her again before returning to her seat.
Melissa stirred her cup delicately with a small spoon before looking up at her mother. “Mother?” she began.
“Yes,” Mrs. Middleton’s eyes sparkled with delight at her daughter’s fine match.
“I’d really like to have a Christmas wedding.” There, she’d said it.
“Christmas!” her mother gasped. “That’s only two weeks away.” She squinted her eyes at her daughter, who leaned closer to Carl for support.
“Marlene! Marlene!” Mrs. Middleton rose to her feet, tossing down her napkin and moving to the door. “Marlene!” she called again, “We have a wedding to plan. Quick now, for Christmas.”
Together the family laughed, only to stop when Mrs. Middleton raced back in to the room. “Nathan, send a wire to Reese right away, and money so that someone will take it to him out there in the middle of nowhere,” she barked, then left again in a rush.
The next two weeks were a whirlwind of activity. Dress fittings, shopping, planning the wedding dinner. Melissa was poked and prodded and measured until she thought she would scream.
The worse part of it was that she barely had anytime to see Carl, only snatching a few moments in the morning as he headed to the office, or after supper in the evening. She longed to be alone with him. To sit and talk about their future, to kiss him.
Reese and Mae arrived only two days before the wedding, tired and disheveled and delighted.
Melissa wrapped her arms around her friend, tears of joy running down her face. “I can’t believe you’re here,” she said, releasing Mae to pull her brother close.
“We wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” Mae said brightly.
Reese laughed. “So where’s the unlucky fellow?” he asked, a twinkle in his green eyes.
Mel slapped him lightly on the arm. “You’re terrible, you know.” But she smiled as she said it.
“I’m happy for you, little sister.” Reese’s words were sincere. “I’m sorry I haven’t been here to look after you.”
“You have someone else to look after now,” Mel said, pulling Mae into her arms again.
Chapter 11
Fresh snow had fallen through the night and the ground was fresh white as Melissa looked out the window of her room.
Mae bounded in without knocking, making Mel laugh with delight.
“Are you nervous?” Mae asked, holding Mel’s hand and squeezing it tight.
“Yes, no. I don’t know. I’m so excited,” Mel said. “I know it’s silly, but I think I loved him from that first moment he looked at me on the wharf.”
Mae giggled. “Love’s a funny thing,” she agreed. “Who am I to say it’s silly though?” Her smile was devilish. “Someone just about had to hit me over the head with it before I understood.”
The two young women laughed, turning toward the window once more to gaze across the dazzling white before them.
“It’s a beautiful day for a wedding,” Mae said, wrinkling her nose. Romance was not her strong suit, but she did love her friend.
At noon they descended the stairs together, as different as day and night but both looking beautiful. Mae wore a red gown that off set her white skin and pitch-black hair, while Mel was as pristine as the snow outside.
Her white gown flowed with only a small bustle at the back, enhancing instead of obscuring her soft figure and small waist, as a billowing train pooled behind her.
“Don’t you look beautiful!” Niamh enthused where she stood at the bottom of the stairs wrapped in a deep green dress that sparked in the sun that spilled through the windows.
Mel leaned forward, brushing a kiss against her cheek. “You see Mae, I finally got that sister I always wanted,” she said, leaning in to kiss her best friend on the cheek.
Reese stepped from the other room, dressed in a black suit with tails, his unruly brown curls touching his high white collar. Possessively he wrapped an arm around his wife, but smiled at his sister.
“Who would have thought we’d be married in the same year,” he stated, looking at his sister with affection. “I guess you’ll be Carl’s problem now.” He winked at her, his green eyes, just like hers, full of love.
“Come on,” Niamh said, taking Mel’s hand. “We’ll be late.”
Reese drove the three ladies at a brisk pace through the snowy streets of Boston, delivering them safely to the church.
“You look beautiful, my dear,” Mel’s father’s eyes glowed with pride. “Son,” he said to Reese, “I’m sorry I didn’t understand before; I didn’t see that you needed space.” He shifted nervously, “I just want you to know I’m proud of who you’ve become.”
A tear slipped from Mel’s eyes as she watched her brother embrace her father. They were so alike in appearance, yet different in temperament and spirit. She couldn’t have asked for a better wedding present.
Moments later she walked down the aisle on her father’s arm. She nearly stopped breathing when she saw Carl standing at the altar, his black hair brushed back, his stunning eyes full of love as he stood dressed in a black suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow hips.
The ceremony flew by as she held tightly to his hands, held tightly to the knowledge that together they could overcome anything.
When the preacher said “You may kiss the bride,” she closed her eyes, sinking deep into the man she loved as he kissed her deeply.
The roar of applause made her pull back blushing, but then he’d taken her hand and together they strode through the cheering attendants and out the door into the falling snow.
Mel stopped, frozen to the spot as before her standing patiently at the curb was Charlie, tethered to a white carriage piled high with blankets. Someone had braided red and green ribbons into the old strawberry roan horse’s mane and bright bells dangled from his harness.
Melissa Middleton McHain threw back her head and laughed, holding tightly to Carl’s hand as she embraced the snow that began to fall.
“I knew old Char would always see us safely home,” Carl said, his blue eyes alive with laughter and joy, pulling her away with him to the waiting coach and a beautiful future.
Epilogue
Carl pulled Melissa close as an anguished cry echoed down the hall to where he stood his precious wife pressed to his broad chest.
“Nay, my love, I’ll not let you go through that.” The big man sounded weak and Mel giggled against his chest.
Another cry could be heard then angry words drifted toward them. “Reese! Reese!” Mae’s voice sounded peeved. “You get in here now.” she panted. “I’m not doing this alone.”
The sound of a door clicking closed indicated that Mel’s brother had complied with his wife’s frantic request.
Melissa squeezed Carl tight as he shivered. “Can’t they do anything?” He whispered into he
r hair. She pulled back and looked up into his handsome face, then raised up on her tip toes to kiss him. The sound of the door clicking open pulled her attention toward the door they had moved away from a few minutes ago.
“Here.” Nona Leone’s voice called making Mel scurry toward the graying older woman who thrusted a bundle into Mel’s arms.
Gently Melissa Middleton pushed the soft blanket back and gazed into the puckered face of her tiny nephew. Carl’s big hand joined hers and he smiled even as another cry bounced from the walls.
“It’s not right for woman to go through this.” His words were soft but firm. Mel looked up and smiled again, laughter dancing in her green eyes.
“But look at him.” She said, brushing a finger against the rosy cheek as the baby squirmed.
“You can come in now.” Fiona Ballard’s sweet voice called to them as the door opened again.
Wrapping the baby close in one arm Melissa took Carl’s hand and walked into the room where her best friend and sister-in-law sat, propped up by large pillows, in bed holding a second bundle in her arms. He brow was damp, her long black braid wrapped over her shoulder.
She looked up and smiled as Mel hurried to her side. “They’re perfect.” The petite young woman said, her eyes sparkling with joy.
“Perfect.” Reese echoed leaning back against the head board looking wrung out and exhausted.
Mel leaned in and kissed Mae on the cheek as she gently laid the baby boy in her other arm. “Twins, are just right for you.”
Mae smiled tiredly. “Mathew and Melinda.” She said looking down into the tiny faces of her newborns.
Nona bustled back in then with a damp cloth in her hand. Behind her Alexis followed with a tray of tea and cookies.
“Alright you two, time for Mae to rest.” Nona said, taking the squirming little girl and handing it to Reese.
“Of course, Mae must be exhausted.” Carl said laying his hand on Mel’s shoulder and preparing to leave.
“Humph.” The ranch matron said, “Mae will be fine. Easiest delivery of any of my girls.”
Carl visibly paled and wrapped Mel close again as they walked out the door.
“Twins.” Mel said brightly as they descended the stairs. “Reese is going to be so busy.” She giggled delightedly. “It couldn’t happen to a better couple.”
“Just so long as is isn’t you.” Carl barked as they stepped out onto the front porch. “We are never having children.” He declared huffing out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.
Mel turned laying a hand on his chest and looking up into his worried face. “You’re such a sweet man.” She said, her eyes twinkling. “Big, strong Ca’hal McHain.”
“Mel.” He growled, making her laugh.
“What?” she questioned leaning into him.
He turned to look out across the ranch yard toward the barn. “I love ye, Mel.” His words were soft. “I couldn’t…” his words drifted off.
“Carl.” Mel’s voice was a breath in his ear as she turned him back to look at her. “Babies are wonderful.”
“But…” her hands on his face silenced him.
“Stop worrying Carl.” She said looking deep into his blue eyes. She smiled again, raising up on tiptoes to kiss him softly. “Besides,” she whispered, “it’s already too late.”
The End
